Nation briefing

Hundreds flee village hit by canyon flood

August 19, 2008

PHOENIX, ARIZONA — More than 250 residents and tourists have been evacuated from an American Indian village in a remote, scenic offshoot of the Grand Canyon after weekend flooding that wrecked trails and nearly washed away some river rafters.

Helicopters took 85 tourists and residents out of the Havasupai tribal village of Supai on Monday, but many people elected to stay, said Gerry Blair, a police spokesman. Another 170 people had been evacuated Sunday from the village. Authorities were still searching for about 11 campers and tourists, though they may have left on their own, Blair said.